Food is Love

Valentine’s Day is just one day a year but any day is a good day for romance. I’ve gathered together some of my favourite seductive, saucy, huggable dishes for delicious wooing and canoodling. The Romantic chapter in my Entertaining cookbook also has a heartfelt menu for dining à deux. That’s the spread above. How lovely does it look?

If you’re setting up for a special dinner, here are a few styling tips. Candles are a romantic cliché but for good reason. Their flickering, flattering glow sets the mood and the intention: this is a special occasion with a special person. Flowers, of course! Spelling your names or a message with Scrabble letters are a nice little touch and can allow for incidental accidental finger touching ;) I love these pretty lotus napkin folds too.

Guaranteed to liven tastebuds and get eyes sparkling, this flavoured salt turns melon cubes into love bombs: arrange fruit on a platter and sprinkle with the spicy salt. Valentine’s Tip: dip halved grapes into the crumb and pop them straight into your Romeo/Juliet’s mouth!

Get into the loving spirit with a fresh and frisky cocktail. Thanks to chef Jesse Gerner for this seductive Spanish sip. Valentine’s Tip: A large glass with two straws, or if that’s too awkward, make sure you’re listening to my Romantic music playlist.

Oysters are a famous aphrodisiac…or supposedly! Did you know famous love-dove Casanova used to have 50 for breakfast? I wouldn’t necessarily believe everything I hear but I do think oysters are strangely perfect, just like love. Valentine’s Tip: discuss the science behind aphrodisiacs while slurping oysters together.

Lamb cutlets are a treat anytime you eat them, and so easy to dress up into a special meal. Chef Jesse McTavish gives us a masterclass in grilling lamb cutlets and serves them with three quick Thermo-condiments: a flavoured salt, a herb oil and a green salsa. Valentine’s Tip: keep your main course simple so you’ve got more time to stare into each other’s eyes.

A cheese platter is a wonderful, easy way to woo with food. Get the inside word on how best to craft a cheese platter with cheesemonger Anthony Femia. Valentine’s Tip: cutting the last morsel of cheese into ever-tinier halves is a cute way to come closer.

One of the world’s great desserts and extra fun to make together, serve it whole for attacking à deux with plenty of cream or ice cream. Valentine’s Tip: It’s French so of course it’s romantic. Say “tart tatt-tang” to sound extra French!

Did someone say brunch? Whether you’re serving this for the morning after the night before, or to someone you’ve lived with for decades, there’s something sustaining and hearty about this Anglo-Indian rice dish. Valentine’s Tip: sprinkle the eggs with chilli flakes for extra sparkle.

Good morning, I love you! That’s sure to be the response when you serve this bright, sunny and sustaining dish for breakfast. It’s like a tropical holiday no matter the weather. Valentine’s Tip: top with a little Persian fairy floss for extra flounce.

What’s this site all about?

My business card says ‘Writer. Eater. Traveller. Cook.’ I do all these things with equal passion, which is why I’m sometimes sitting at my laptop with an apron on! This is where I share all my best bits of writing, recipes and videos. There are free areas of the site where you can stay up to date with my journalism and get a taste of my cooking adventures. Sign up as a member and you’ll get access to my awesome and ever-growing library of cooking videos and recipes, focusing on Thermomix.

This is a place for inspiration, chefs’ secrets, practical tuition and happy creativity. If you like cooking and eating delicious food and basking in the compliments of family and friends, this site is for you. You’ll be amazed what you can create with my recipes and videos as your guide.

What’s all this then?

This is the online home of Australian journalist and food author Dani Valent, a dynamic showcase of writing, recipes, cooking videos and media appearances. If you've been here before, you might notice things look a little different: cooking content and journalism now all live here under one roof. Find out more at the About page.

A project like this does not happen without creative partnerships, skilled assistance and the occasional motivating hug. Feel the love on the Friends page.